Presbyterian Church in America votes to go away Nationwide Affiliation of Evangelicals
(RNS) — Commissioners for the Presbyterian Church in America accredited a movement to go away the Nationwide Affiliation of Evangelicals on Wednesday (June 22) on the PCA’s Common Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.
It’s the third time up to now decade the theologically conservative Presbyterian denomination has thought of a measure to go away the affiliation, an umbrella group of 40 evangelical Christian denominations.
The choice comes at a time when the NAE is headed by a pastor in a PCA congregation. Walter Kim, who took cost of the affiliation in 2020, is teacher-in-residence at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The Nationwide Affiliation of Evangelicals doesn’t touch upon denominational selections, a spokesperson instructed Faith Information Service.
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At problem, in keeping with the overture submitted by the Pee Dee Presbytery in South Carolina and accredited by a 1,059 to 681 majority, is the NAE’s advocacy work.
The NAE has “regularly intermeddled in civil affairs,” in keeping with the overture. It factors to a 2011 statement by the affiliation meant to spark dialogue on how local weather change impacts susceptible populations, the group’s previous efforts supporting immigration reform and its 2015 change of heart on the dying penalty, which it had beforehand supported.
Nationwide Affiliation of Evangelicals brand. Courtesy picture
The overture particularly names the Fairness for All Act drafted by the Nationwide Affiliation of Evangelicals and the Council for Christian Schools and Universities. The act requires federally acknowledged protections for sexual orientation and gender id alongside robust non secular exemptions.
“Advocating for a political compromise concerning sexual orientation, gender id, and spiritual freedom” oversteps the Westminster Confession of Religion, in keeping with the overture. The confession, which was written within the 1600s for the Church of England and later adopted by the Presbyterian Church in America, says “synods and councils are to deal with, or conclude nothing, however that which is ecclesiastical; and are to not intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth.”
The overture additionally argues, “Many outstanding conservative and evangelical thinkers and leaders have denounced this compromise as not resulting in ‘equity’ for all who uphold biblical educating on sexuality and marriage, however fairly makes an attempt to ensure non secular freedom for some organizations and establishments whereas doubtlessly undermining the pre-political non secular freedoms of all People codified within the 1st Modification of the U.S. Structure.”
Presbyterian Church in America brand. Courtesy picture
Commissioners talking in assist of leaving the Nationwide Affiliation of Evangelicals mentioned they weren’t certain what profit the denomination obtained from its membership within the group. They argued the denomination didn’t want the affiliation to talk for its members when the Common Meeting is the voice of the denomination.
Roy Taylor, former said clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, instructed the Common Meeting he deliberate to file a protest over its resolution to go away the NAE.
Taylor argued for the denomination to stay a part of the affiliation, urging commissioners to indicate the identical unity as George Whitefield and John Wesley, two outstanding ministers within the Church of England throughout the Nice Awakening. Whereas the 2 held totally different beliefs on some theological issues, he mentioned, Whitefield regarded Wesley “as a brother in Christ” and stipulated in his will that Wesley preach at his funeral.
“I’m a George Whitefield Calvinist. I hope that you’re, too,” Taylor mentioned.
